Stopcock



Dec. 28, 1937. M. c. INGE y 2,103,536

' sToPGoCK Filed sept. 4, 193e 2 sheets-snee` 2 I 44 j A,

Patented' Dec. 28, 1937 Unirse stares PATENT OFFICE STOPCOCK Melvin C.Inge, Brea, Calif.

pplcaticn September 8 Claims.

This invention relates to valves and relates more particularly to theclass of valves known as stop cocks. A general object of this inventionis to provide a stop cock that is effective and dependable and that iseasy and convenient to operate.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stop cock embodying acylindrical core or plug operable in a cylindrical opening in the bodywhereby it is easy to operate or turn.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stop cock having anexpansible plug that may be expanded into sealing cooperation with thewall of the body opening when in the closed position and'that springsout of engagement with the wall of the body opening when it is to bemoved to the open position whereby it is easy to turn or operate. f

Another object of this invention is toY provide a stop cock of thekcharacter mentioned embodyving noveland effective means for expandingthe plug into iluid tight and pressure tight sealing engagement with thewall ofthe body opening.

Another object of `this invention is to provide a stop cock ofthecharacter mentioned in which the plug may be lifted or freed to contractout of sealing cooperation with the wall of the body opening by simplyturning a control stern.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stop cock of thecharacter mentioned in which theinternal and external uid pressures onthe plug are automatically balanced when the plug is freedor conditionedfor turning from the closed position to the open position.- Y

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide a stop cock of thecharacter mentioned in which one of the abutments or wedges forexpanding the plug forms avalve for governing the pressure balancingports. Y

Another object of this invention is to provide a stopcock of the4character mentioned having means for simultaneously expanding theopposite `end portions of the plug to assurethe full even f' sealingengagement cf the plug with .the wall of the-body opening. Anotherobject, of this invention is to provide a stop-cock `of the character`mentioned in which a single stern` is employed to turn the plug'and toexpand and free the plug for contraction. A .l

` A further object of this invention is to provide a stop' cock of thecharacter mentioned that is simple and inexpensive and that embodies aminimum number of parts. Y

. The various objects and features of my inven- Vtion will befullyfunderstoodfrom the following 4, 1936, Serial No. 99,331

detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of theinvention, throughout which description reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the stop cockprovided by the vinvention showing the plug in the closed and expandedcondition. Fig. 2 is an elevation view of the freeing and contractingplate showing it removed from the valve. Fig. 3 is a transverse detailedsectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3--3 on Fig. 1.Fig. 4 is a top or plan view of the plug and stem assembly removed fromthe body showing the stern in cross section, and Fig. 5 is alongitudinal detailed sectional View of the principal portion of thestop cock showing the plug in the freed and contracted position.

The stop cock provided by this invention includes, generally, a body IIJhaving a fluid passage I I, a turnable expansible plug I2 in the body dI'ior controlling the passage II, means I3 for turning the plug I2,means I4 for expanding the plug I2 to seal with the interior of the bodyII), means I5 for freeing the plug for contraction and means I6 forbalancingthe internal and external pressures on the plug I2.

The body I0 may be varied considerably in shape and construction toadapt the stop cock for various installations. In the simple form of theinvention illustrated the body I0 is a simple, integral member adaptedto be interposed in a pipe line or conduit. A central cylindricalopening I'I of relatively large diameter extends into the body I!) fromwhat I will term its outer end. The inner end of the opening I'I isclosed by an integral Wall I8 of the body. The fluid passage II extendsthrough the body I0 at right angles to the opening I'IV and intersectsthe opening. Means are provided at the opposite ends of the passage I Ifor connecting with parts of a pipe line or conduit. In the particularstructure illustrated internally threaded bosses I9 are provided on thebody Hl at-the outer ends of the passage II to receive pipe parts. Alaterally or radially projecting ange 2| is provided on the body I0atits outer end. An annular recess 22 is provided in the body I0 at theouter end of its opening II. A bonnet or head 23 is secured to the outerend of the body In by screws 24 threaded in openings in the ilange 2I.'I'he bonnet 23 has an annular tongue 25 extending into the recess 22and cooperating with a suitable gasket 26 in the recess. The core orplug l2 is the flow controlling member of the device and is turnable inthe opening II between a position Where it closes the passage II and aposition where there may be free now through the passage. Inthepreferred construction theplug I2 is'a tubular member having a smoothunbroken cylindrical periphery. The opposite ends of the plug I2 may beflat and the plug is preferably proportioned so that its ends are withinthe opening I'I. The periphery of the plug I2 is machined to accuratelycooperate with the wall of the opening I1 to seal therewith and the plugis such that it tends to spring inwardly out of contact with the wall ofthe opening I1 through its inherent resiliency. In accordance with theinvention the plug I2 is expansible and contractable. A longitudinalsplit or slot 21 extends through the wall of the tubular plug I2 andextends from one end of theplug to the other. The slot 21 renders theplug I2 flexible and expansible. The longitudinal opening 28 in thetubular plug I2 receives parts of the means I4 and the means I5,y aswill be hereinafter described. The plug I2 is provided with a transverseopening 29 for cooperating or registering with the passage I I when theplug is in` its open position. The opening 29 may be cylindrical andsufficiently large in diameter to fully register with the passage II.The slot 21 and the opening 29 are related so that the slot 21 does notintersect the opening 29 and does not have direct cornmunication withthe body passage ltwhen the plug is in the open or closed positions.

The means I3 for turning the plug I2 between its open and closedpositions is a simple, manually operable means comprising a stem 30. Thestem 33 is co-axial with the plug I2 and extends through a centralopening 3I in the head 23. The head 23 carries packing 32 for sealingabout the stem. A gland 33 is provi-ded to compress the packing 32 andis urged against the packing by screws 34 threaded in openings in thehead 23. The stem 30 projects outwardly beyond the gland 33 and itsouter portion is reduced in diameter to present an outwardly facingannular shoulder 35. The extreme outer end portion 36 of the stem 3Bis'polygonal for ready engagement by a wrench or turning tool.y A slackor loose'V connection is provided between the stem 30 and the plug I2whereby the stem is operable to transmit turning forces to the plug andmay have longitudinal movement relative to the plug. A ange 31 isprovided on the stern 39 withinY the upper or outer portion ofthe bodyopening I1.V The flange 31 extends outwardly to adjacent the wall of theopening I1 and may haveflat parallel sides as illustrated in Fig. 4. Aflat walled notch 38 is provided in each end of the flange 31. Lugs 39project from the upper or outer end of the plug I2 and cooperate withthe notches 38. The slot v21 may ,extend radially through one of thelugs K The means i4 for expanding the plug I2 is op-` erable bylongitudinal movement of the stem 33 to expand or spread the plug intotight sealing cooperation withvthe wall of the opening I1. The

Ymeans I4 includes a conical Vor frusto-conical surface 43 on the wallof the plug opening 28. A head or abutment 4Ifis provided on the stem 33and has a tapered or Vfrusto-conical surface 42 for cooperating with thesurface 40. The means I4 further includes a central frusto-conicalabutment 43 on the body wall I8. A conical surface 44 is provided on theinner end of the plug I2 to cooperate with the abutment 43. Cooperationof the surfaces 49 and 42 and the abutment 43 and surface 44 is operableto expand the split plug I2.

The plug expanding means I4 further includes means for effectinglongitudinal movement of the stem 39. This means includes a ring orbracket 45 spaced outwardly from the gland 33 and surrounding the stem30. 'I'he bracket 45 is carried by bolts 46 freely passing throughopenings 41 in the gland 33 and threaded into openings in the head 23.Nuts 48 are provided on the bolts 46 to engage the inner or under sideof the bracket 45 to lock the bracket against movement. An actuator ornut 49 surrounds the reduced outer portion of the stern 30 and isthreaded in the bracket 45. The nut 49 may have a polygonal flange 49aengageable by a turning tool. The inner end of the nut 49 bears on theshoulder 35. A nut E) is xed to the stem 39 at the outer end of the nut49. The shoulder 35 and the nut 5U prevent relative longitudinalmovement between the stem 35 and the nut 49 so that threading of the nut49 eifects longitudinal movement of the stem 30. It is believed that itwill be apparent how downward or inward threading of the nut 49 movesthe stem 30 inwardly to effect the cooperation of the surfaces 49 and 42and the cooperation of the surface 44 and the abutment 43 to expand thesplit plug I2 into tight sealing engagement with the wall of the bodyopening I1.

The means I5 is operable to free the plug I2 in a manner to allow it tocontract out of contact with the wall of the body opening I1. The meansI5 includes a downwardly and'inwardly inclined surface 56 on theinterior cf the plug I2. A strip or plate 51 is secured to the inner endof the stem 39 by screws 59. The plate 51 is preferably out of alignmentwith the opening 29. The plate 51 is proportioned to be passed throughthe opening 29 when it is to be assembled on the stem 30. Lugs 50 areprovided on the opposite ends of the plate 51 and have inclined surfacesSI for cooperating'with the inclined surface 5E. Outward movement of thestem 30 by threading of the nut 45 brings the surfaces 6I intoengagement with the surface 53 and continued outward movement of thestem 3Il results in lifting of the plug I2 so Vthat. it is free tocontract through its own resiliency. The cooperation of the surfaces 56and 6I may assist in contracting the split plug I2.

The means' 5 is operable to balance or equalize the pressures on theexterior and interior of the plugV I2 when in the closed position, tomake it easy to turn. The pressure balancing means I6 is very simplecomprising ports 65 in the wall of the plug I2 extending from thesurface 40 tothe periphery of the plug. There are two ports S5positioned to have their outer ends in communication with the upstreamand downstream ends of the passage iI when the plug I 2` is in itsclosed position. 'Ihe ports 65 are controlled by the surplacing theinterior of the `plug in communica- `tion with the passage II softhatthe pressures the plug I2 is in the closed position illustrated in thedrawings the nut 49 may be threaded downwardly or inwardly to move thestem 3i) inwardly. Such inward movement of the stem 3D results incooperation of the surfaces dil and 42 and cooperation of the surface Mwith the abutment 43. The action of these inclined parts or conicalsurfaces and parts is to expand the split plug l2 so that its peripherytightly seals with the wall of the opening il. The plug I2 may beexpanded to have tight cooperation with the wall of the opening Il tocompletely close off now through "open position the nut i9 is turned ina direction the passage I I. The surface l2 cooperating with the surfaceIl completely closes off the ports G5 so that the ports are closed whenthe plug is in the closed position. It will be noted that both ends ofthe plug I2 are simultaneously expanded so that the plug has evensealing engagement with the wall of the opening I'I.

When it is desired to move the plug I2 to the to move the stern 36upwardly or outwardly. 'I'his outward movement of the stem 3d moves thesurface 42 out of pressure engagement with the surface 4I) uncoveringthe ports 65. This balances the internal and external uid pressures onthe plug I2. Upward or outward movement of the stem 35 removes theinward force on the plug I2 relieving the pressure engagement betweenthe surface 44 and the abutment 43. Under some conditions the plug I2may contract through its inherent resiliency when the expandingpressures are relieved as just described. V'I'he stern 35 may be movedoutwardly a greater distance to bring the surfaces 5I into activeengagement with the surface 55 so that the stem 35 may lift the plug I2.Such lifting of the plug fully frees it from the abutment d3, asillustrated inFig. 5 so that it is free to contract to its normal stateout of engagement with the wall of the opening I'I. The plug I2 may thenbe easily turned by engaging the polygonal portion 36 of the stem with asuitable turning tool. As the pressures on the plug l2 are fullybalanced and the plug is entirely freed from the wall of the `opening I2it isvery easily turned. It is to be noted that the packing 32 may bereplaced or repaired without disturbing the sealing engagement of theplug I2 with the wall of the opening I'I. The stop cock provided by thisinvention provides a positive dependable seal and is very easy tooperate.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specicdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A stop cock including, a body having a fluid passage and an openingintersecting the passage, an expansible plug turnable in the opening tocontrol the passage, means for expanding the plug to seal with the wallof the openingmeans for equalizing the internal and externalpressures onthe plug, and a single means for expanding the plug and controlling thelast mentioned means.

"2.IA-v stop cock'including, a'body havinga fluid passage andan openingintersecting the passage, an expansible and contractible'hollowplug inthe body for controlling the passage, means for expanding the plug,means for effecting longitudinal movement of the plug to free it forcontraction, lrneans .forturning the plug, a single stern for operatingthe two aforenamed means, and means for equalizing the internal andexternal pressures on the plug including walls in the plug defining aport for communicating with the passage and the interior of the plug,and a valve on-the stemA for controlling said port; l

3. A stop cock including, a body having a fluid passage and an openingintersecting the passage, an expansible plug turnable in the opening tocontrol the passage, a pitched surface on the plug, the plug having aport extending from its periphery to said surfaceto balance the internaland external fluid pressures on the plug, an operating stem, and a parton the stem for cooperating with said surface to expand the plug andcontrol said port.

4. A stop cock including, a body having a uid passage and a cylindricalopening intersecting the passage, a cylindrical tubular plug turnable inthe opening to control the passage, the plug being axially shiftable andlongitudinally split to be expansible, the plug having a port throughits wall to equalize the internal and external pressures on the plug, awedgeV element cooperable with the plug to expand it and to control theport, and means for turning th'e plug.

5. A stop cock including, a body having a fluid Y passage and acylindrical opening intersecting the passage, a cylindrical tubular plugturnable in the opening to control the passage, the plug being axiallyshiftable and split to be expansible, an internal conical surface onthe, plug, the plug having a port extending from its periphery to saidsurface to equalize the internal and external pressures on the plug, awedge element cooperable-with the said to contract away from the wall ofthe body open-` ing through its inherent resiliency, the plug having aport through its wall to equalize the internal and external pressures onthe plug, a wedge element cooperable with the plug to expand it and tocontrol the port, a turnable and axially shiftable stern carrying thewedge element, means for transmitting axial movement from the stem tothe plug in a direction to free it for contraction, and cooperatingsurfaces on the stern and plug for transmitting turning movement fromthe stem to the plug.

'7. A stop cock including, a body having a fluid passage and acylindrical opening intersecting the passage, a cylindrical tubular plugturnable in the opening to control the passage, the plug being axiallyshiftable and split to be expansible and to contract away from the wallof the body opening through its inherent resiliency, and an internal`conical surface on the plug, the plug having aport extending from itsperiphery to said surface to equalize the internal and externalpressures on the plug, a wedge element cooperable with ,the said surfaceto expand the plug and to control the port, a turnable Vandl axiallyshiftable stem carrying the Wedge element, means for transmitting axialmovement from theV stem to the plug in a direction to free it forcontraction, screw means for moving the stem axially, and cooperatingsurfaces on the stem and plug for transmitting turning movementfrozn'the stem to the plug.

8, A Valve including, a body having a fluid passage and an openingintersecting the passage, an axially split tubular plug in the openinghaving a transverse opening for communicating with the passage andturnable to control the passage, a

turnable and axially shiftable stem entering the body, cooperable Wedgesurfaces on the stem and plug for expanding the plug, the plug havingbypass ports extending from its periphery to the Wedge surface of theplug to equalize the pressures on the plug when the said surfaces aremoved apart, the ports being located to communicate with the bodypassage at the opposite sides of the plug when the plug is in the closedposition, cooperablerotationtransmitting parts on the stem and plug, andmeans for turning the stem and for shifting the stem axially.

MELVIN C. INGE.

